Process of removing caster sockets from furniture



Nov. 6,1923.

. W. F. HEROLD PROCESS OF REMOVING CASTER SOCKETS FROM FURNITURE Filed Dec. 5, 1921 IN VEN TOR m/M fl/m g ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 6, 1923.

by eases WALTER r. HEROLD, or nnwnnx, new JERSEY, ASSIGNOB TO THE BASSICK core.

7 PANY, or nnrnenronr, connncrrour, A GORPQRATION or connncrreur.

PROCESS oriennovrnecesrnn sooxnrsrnonr runnrrunn Application filed December 5, 1921. Serial No. 520,200.

of Removing Gaster'Sockets from Furni ture, of which the following is aspecification. i

The invention relates to a process of re-- moving caster sockets from furniture.- When an oldQca-ster is to be replaced by anew one difficulty is often experienced in remov ing the old socket which often times tightly adheres within the opening which" receives the same in a furniture leg or thelike.

The object of the present. invention is to produce device of 'the most inexpensive and simplest character possible by which the old socket may be removed and a proc ess of a; simple and effective character in which such device will be utilized. In order that thedevice and process may achieve the greatest, commercial success, the device should -be'of such an inexpensive character as to permit the giving away of one of the same to the purchaser of each set, or order, of casters which are to replace previously used casters.

- The device and process shortly to be described have been evolved as the result of considerable experimentation.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood attention is hereby directed to the accompanying drawings forming part of this application, and illustrating the manner in which my improved process is practiced, and also illustrating one embodiment of my improved device.

In the drawings Fig. 1 represents aper spective view of the bottom portion of an inverted furniture leg showing the track plate of an old caster socket being pried'off Fig. 2 is a similar view of the furniture leg after the track plate has been removed;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the furniture leg and caster socket after the re moval of the track plate with the device for removing the socket shown applied thereto, in side elevation;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the removal of the device referred to, and the socket therewith, by means of a claw hammer;

Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively a side and an end elevation of the device for removing the caster socket, and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross section taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6. A

Referring to the drawings, the'invention common form of caster socket in whic-lrthe;

cated at 5,the prongs or serrations of thev 'disc'being' inserted into the woodj at the bottom of the furniture .leg. The track plate is commonly secured tosleeve 1 by crimping or beading the m'aterial; of the sleeve above and below the track plate,these" beads being illustrated at 6 and '7 in Fig. 3

after the track plate has been removed therefrom;

In practicing theprocess a screwdriver 8 or similar instrument is inserted between the track plate and the lovrer'surface of the furniture leg, as is illustrated in Fig. 1, and leverage applied, the screw driver being inserted at various points between the track plate and the furniture leg, if necessary. The result of this prying operation will sometimes be to remove the track plate and sleeve 1 therewith. If the sleeve or socket 1 sticks within opening. 2, however, as is usually the case, the result of the prying operation with the screw driver will usually be to break off the track plate or separate it from the socket sleeve 1 without loosening or removing the latter.

After the track plate has been removed the lower end of the furniture leg will have the appearance indicated in Fig. '2, the flanges 6 and 7 of the socket sleeve appearing above the surface9 of the furniture leg, this surface having a circular series of ope ings lO therein from which the prongs 5 of the track plate have been removed.

The device for removing the socket 1 comprises a shaft or shank 11 with a head 12 at one end. This device is now driven head first intothe socket sleeve. If the latter is of the usual spring type, open at its inner end, the head l2,'as it is driven through the same, will-force the. inner spring portions 13 of the socket apart .so thatthe head will pass beyond the same after which the arms 651 is shown as applied to the removal of'a or portions 13 will again spring into position. The shoulder 14 at the edge of'he'ad 12 will now be in position to engage the inner edge of the spring portion or portions 13 of the socket.

If the socket to be removed is of a top bearing type, closed at its inner end, the result will be the same since the inner end of the socket will readily bepunctured by driving the head 12 through the same after which the jagged edge of the metal adjacent to the opening through which head 12 passed may be engaged by shoulder 14.

The opposite end portion of shank 11 is provided with a shoulder orabutment, or a series of shoulders or abutments, which may conveniently be engaged by the claw of a claw hammer, or other device capable of applying leverage to pull the device out of opening 2. In the form of the device illustrated shank 11 is provided with a series of notches 15, 15, on opposite sides thereof, these notches preferably being tapered and of suitable section to be readily engaged by the claw of atclaw hammer. A hammer 16 having the usual claw 17 is now made use of, the claw being applied to a pair of the notches on opposite sides of shank 11,

as is indicated in Fig. 4. The track plate having been removed, good leverage may readily be obtained by the claw hammer on the end surface 9 of the furniture leg, and application of such leverage will result in readily pulling out shank 11 together with the socket. In case surface 9 of the furniture leg is not large enough to give a good bearing for the claw hammer the screw driver 8 as indicated, or some other object, may be inserted between the surface 9 and 'the claw 17 to give the claw hammer suflifrom furniture, comprising prying off vthe track plate of the socket, driving into the socket a headed shaft, head first, until the head engages beneath the inner end of the socket, said shaft having a shoulder adjacent its other end, and then applying the claw of a claw-hammer or the like to said shoulder and exerting leverage to pull out the.

said shaft and the socket therewith. a

2. A process for removing caster sockets from furniture, comprising, driving into the socket a headed shaft, head first, until the head engages beneath the inner .end of the socket, said shaft having a shoulder ad jacent its other end, and then applying the claw of a claw-hammer or the like to said shoulder and exerting leverage to pull out the said shaft and the socket therewith.

Signed at Bridgeport, in the county of F airfield and State of Connecticut, this 30th day of November A. D. 1921.

' WALTER F. HER-OLD. 

